Describes the general education program for a Russian eighth grade student, compared to key elements reported in Lounsbury and Clark's 1990 national study of eighth graders. Russian intermediate students care how they look, like to socialize and discuss politics, and complete several hours of homework. Schools lack interdisciplinary teaming,…

Presents a case study of a sixth grade teacher trying to increase her use of literature for language arts instruction. Shows the challenges and successes of attempting to get better at teaching. (PRA)

With eighth-grader in White House, America is in for four years of voyeuristically observed adolescence. As Chelsea Clinton and millions of other 12 year olds know, junior high is where real psychological action is. Middle school is cruel, self-conscious culture, replete with rumors, complicated dress codes, and popularity-driven status hierarchy.…

Humor is a critical ingredient for personal and organizational success, as it stimulates creativity, encourages relaxation, enhances attention levels, builds positive attitudes and team spirit, and establishes interpersonal rapport. A Virginia middle school devised a number of fun-filled activities to enliven faculty meetings, awards…

Many schools are implementing collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches (cooperative teaching, collaborative consultation, and teacher assistance teams) to help teachers meet students' diverse needs. This article, which shows how a rural eastern Virginia middle school developed coteaching as an alternative to special education pullout programs,…

A two-year collaborative effort between the Texas Education Agency, the University of North Texas, and the Garland Independent School District developed a model at-risk program for large school districts. The program's two phases were developing a core group of personnel and conducting train the trainer activities. (JOW)

Volunteer staff members at a Missouri junior high school met one on one with 25 students selected because of poor academic performance and poor attendance records. Meetings were held at least once per week to discuss personal and school-related happenings. By the end of a year grades improved and absences decreased. (MLF)

Offers a brief look at a graduate student's on-line correspondence with three sixth-grade pen pals. Offers advice about adult-student pen pal relationships. (SR)

Describes how a fourth-grade teacher applied Nancie Atwell's "formula" for teaching writing via writing workshops. Notes that, a year later, the teacher realized that nobody else's approach could work in her classroom, after which she developed her own structure. (SR)

Describes a principal-initiated advisory program at a Toronto middle school. Summarizes successful program elements, including a 6-month planning period; a staff-supported inservice program offering training in team-building and adolescent development; daily advisory group meetings, with maximum group size of 15 students, who retain the same…

Early sexual activity is seen in youngsters who exhibit school behavior problems. As one middle-school prevention program shows, adolescent parenthood can be prevented through careful, thoughtful, and developmentally appropriate strategies. The program's focus-group approach emphasized equal male-female responsibility and discussion of life goals…

Describes how a fourth-grade teacher uses a favorite picture book (Julius Lester's "John Henry") to lead students into reading like writers, thus giving them the opportunity to make the connection between published writing and their own. Shows how working with a brief passage from the book does this. Offers a brief list of books to be mentored by.…

Discusses techniques and lessons used to assist students in reading with a writer's eye, observing the world with a writer's eye, and developing the craft of writing, including the writer's notebook; grabber leads; show, not tell; unforgettable language; and voice. Notes that developing a community of writers is essential to the successful use of…

Argues that regular homophone practice enhances vocabulary knowledge, spelling skills, pronunciation ability, and overall reading proficiency. Describes how card games played with decks of homophones helped to accomplish these things. Notes particular benefits of homophone games to English-as-a-second-language students, and outlines key advantages…

Describes how two fifth-grade boys developed and sustained a love of fantasy books. Describes how these two discriminating readers have developed taste and a social context for their reading experience. Shows how their experience demonstrates important principles about reading and about reading curriculum. (SR)